Richmond, VA – Today, Kendyl Crawford, Director of Virginia Interfaith Power & Light, released the following statement regarding the release of a racist photograph on Gov. Northam’s medical school yearbook page.

“We have concerns about how well the governor understands how deeply racism is embedded and institutionalized in Richmond and throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The environmental justice community, especially residents of Union Hill in Buckingham County, have been trying to educate him on environmental racism for years now particularly as relates to the Atlantic Coast Pipeline proposed compressor station.

We are waiting to see if and how Northam will prioritize racial healing. We continue to monitor the unfolding situation.”

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About Virginia Interfaith Power & Light: Virginia Interfaith Power & Light is a nonprofit organization that collaborates, as people of faith, to grow healthy communities and advance climate justice through education, advocacy, and worship with over 2,500 supporters across the state. We are a program of Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy. For more information, visithttp://www.vaipl.org.